Other men looked drawn, haggard, waiting as if expecting a thunderbolt.

Once in my roving gaze I caught Blandy's glinty eye on me.

I didn't like the gleam.

I said to myself I'd watch him if I had to do it out of the back of my head.

Blandy, by the way, is--was--I should say, the Hope So bartender." I stopped to clear my throat and get my breath.
"Was," whispered Sally.